The surface energy balance is the resultant of radiative components such as incoming
and outgoing short-wave and long-wave radiation, and also non-radiative components such as
sensible heating, latent heating, and the change in energy storage in water or substrate
on land. The following animations show radiative and non-radiative components which
emphasize the latitudinal and seasonal variations of solar input and surface-atmosphere
energy exchange.

Seasonal temperature variations can be explained in terms of the latitudinal and
seasonal variations in the surface energy balance. The pattern of temperatures are a
function of net short-wave radiation, net long-wave radiation, sensible heat flux, latent
heat flux and change in heat storage.

The water balance is the inflow, outflow, and storage of moisture on the earth's
surface. The source of inflow is precipitation, outflow is evaporation and runoff,
and an example of storage is soil moisture. The following animations are examples of
the seasonal cycle for inflow, outflow and storage of moisture as part of the global water
balance.

Atmospheric circulation and winds are generated by the pole-equator-pole variation in
the energy balance and in turn, redistribute energy and moisture around the globe.
Animations of the seasonal cycle of circulation and winds show the pattern of mean
sea-level pressure and 500 mb heights with wind speed and direction. Animations of
wind vectors for January and July months are shown to emphasize the actual pattern of air
movement.